The EU is putting pressure on the Netherlands to lift its opposition to Bulgaria and Romania’s entry in the Schengen area.

Since Finland backed up in November, the Netherlands is the only country whose vote is needed for taking the unanimous decision to the enlargement of the Schengen zone.

Following the summit of the EU leaders on December 8-9, 2011, the Bulgarian National Television announced that its correspondent in Brussels was given a copy of a draft decision of the EU Council of Ministers in which the date of March 25, 2012 is indicated as the date of including Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen area with their air and marine borders.

All observers see this as a definitive positive sign as the resolution gives a fixed date for the 2-stage entry.

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